Birley FC have it easy once again. The third outing against each other in 2022, and in each game we’ve had a severely depleted squad. People out of position, key players missing and 10 men twice, it’s always an uphill battle against these. It may have been an uphill battle, but it’s one we were up for.

It was tough circumstances but there was positivity before kick off. Having a proper sub for the first time this season along with a couple of new signings on top of a strong 11 too, there was an atmosphere of relief before the game. We looked to build on last weeks fantastic performance and have that same personality and intensity today, and started the game that way.

Birley went ahead with an easy goal, with the defence too slow to close down the winger before putting the cross in, and after it bouncing around in the box it fell to their man’s feet for a simple finish. After that however, we stepped it up a gear.

Brimming with confidence from last week, we knew that we were good enough to turn this around, even if it wasn’t the start we wanted. In the 8th minute, that’s exactly what we did. Thriving in his new deeper, more creative role, Rooth played Josh Price through, who calmly rounded the keeper and finished into the open net for his first goal for the club.

We went from strength to strength from there, gaining momentum and growing into the game. We’d started well but knew there was still room for improvement. Growing more and more confident on the ball, winning our individual duels, we were working hard and Birley looked to be tiring early, maybe caught off guard by our stellar response to conceding early.

Eventually the ball ended up on the edge of their box. Looking like their defence had dealt with our attack, an air shot by their centre half had Rooth finding the ball at his feet. Shifting onto his left foot, he buried the ball low across the keeper. We were ahead, and rightly so.

Moments later however, Brennan was down needing treatment from our excellent one man medical team. He bumbled over at snails pace, expecting a classic D Brez ‘tackle then stay down injured’, but unfortunately it was serious this time. Hamstring issues have plagued Brennan’s career, missing entire seasons in the past, so he immediately feared the worst. He attempted to carry on and see if it wasn’t as bad as he feared, but unfortunately tracking back from our corner made Brennan realise he couldn’t continue. Countering from this corner, Birley equalised and Brennan was replaced by debutant Lewis Thompson.

Usually a winger, Thompson was asked to cover in centre midfield, and Swann was dropped into the defence after performing well there in recent weeks.

Unbeknownst to the manager, Swann had overextended himself moments earlier and had felt his hamstring go. Again knowing that we couldn’t afford to lose players to injury, he attempted to carry on but was in clear discomfort. Birley capitalised on this and scored a fourth. Swann was subbed off, and we were down to 10 men again.

The game was completely different after this, and no one can blame us for it. Having had such a bright start and the belief and desire to get 3 points, to end up down to 10 men completely knocked the wind out of everyone’s sails, the players, the manager, and the Roos fans. It’s hard not to to instantly think back to previous results that have undoubtedly left their mark on everyone. We expected the worst, but knew this time that we were in such a strong position to win if we’d have not had those two injuries and had a proper keeper (love you Smeds thanks for helping us out). We’ve said it time and time again this season, but on another day, it doesn’t end the way it did today.

The first half an hour is what I’m going to remember and take away from today. Yes once again the result hasn’t just not gone our way but it’s also a big score line, but once again we played well. We were in the driving seat, and I’m positive we would’ve gone on to win the game and get a well needed and well deserved three points. We’re doing the right things, we are just having zero luck. Everything that can go wrong seems to be going wrong. Speaking to super fan Mollie Oxley, she said that she feels we must see a turning point soon, and I’m inclined to agree. Enough people back from injury without more getting injured, or even just getting the luck of the bounce or a big referee decision in our favour. How much that has gone wrong for us this season off of the pitch must surely change soon. We’re doing the right things, with the right mentality and attitude, but we just aren’t seeing any reward for our hard work. The results will come, I am sure of it.

A promising start to the todays debutants, the club remains in contract talks with the players agents to consolidate their moves and become regular players.

A local derby with pitch sharers Minnies FC next week, who cruised to the League 2 title last season and have started the season strongly, with the opportunity to go 2nd if they win their games in hand. It’ll be a tough game but if we play like we did last week and for the first half an hour this week, I back us to get the result.

Apologies for the lack of match reports recently. The press secretary was sulking for a few weeks and didn’t feel up to writing one, and had a very busy week last week and didn’t have the time. From now on, they should be every week.